402 Though we long, in sin-wrought blindness,

1 Though we long, in sin-wrought blindness, From Thy gracious paths have strayed, Cold to Thee and all Thy kindness, Wilful, reckless, or afraid; Through dim clouds that gather round us Thou hast sought, and Thou hast found us. 2 Oft from Thee we veil our faces, Children-like, to cheat Thine eyes; Sin, and hope to hide the traces! From ourselves ourselves disguise; 'Neath the webs enwoven round us, Thy soul-piercing glance has found us. 3 Sudden, 'midst our idle chorus, O'er our sin Thy thunders roll, Death his signal waves before us, Night and terror take the soul; Till through double darkness round us, Looks a star, and Thou hast found us. 4 O most Merciful, most Holy, Light Thy wanderers on their way; Keep us ever Thine, Thine wholly, Suffer us no more to stray! Cloud and storm oft gather round us; We were lost, but Thou hast found us.